A four-acre plot of land has saved one Kentucky county thousands of dollars while helping to feed hungry families.
“The People's Garden project brings people together to make a difference in their communities and also provides nutritious food to people in need,” said Farm Service Agency State Executive Director John W. McCauley. “These gardens also emphasize community service and civic involvement by donating fresh, healthy, and locally grown vegetables to local food pantries.”
McCauley along with U.S. Representative Ben Chandler of Kentucky introduced the People’s Garden during the 47th Annual Woodford County Farm Tour. The garden was one of many stops on the tour, allowing the local community to see how one garden and a partnership between the Versailles Farm Service Agency and the Woodford County Detention Center can meet the needs of the less fortunate.
About 8,000 pounds of corn, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions and watermelon have been harvested from the garden. The majority of the food was donated to the detention center, helping to save the county nearly $10,000. An additional 721 pounds of food was donated to the Lexington Rescue Mission, an organization committed to feeding and clothing the poor and hungry in Lexington, Ky., and the Jenny Museum Missions Group.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase what we do at USDA, and to encourage folks to consider local production and local consumption. We want to provide an example to the rest of the country," said McCauley.
